Dec 29, 2015

Out with the Old & in with the New!

For the last blog post of the year, I'd like to share with you my latest designing video.  It's another one of my 'triple espresso' fast-forward videos showing you how to design the basic sleeveless Sheath dress.  Of course, you need to start off with your well-fitting SFD Dress Kit personalized dress muslin, just as our SFD customer, Caroline, has done.
 
Then, follow the directions in this Sheath Dress Designing video.  When the videos are the 'triple espresso' variety, they show the essence of the designing details without my superfluous talking (and I can tend to get carried away).



Caroline has added sleeves in the pink sheath dress version.  Whether with or without sleeves, when sewn with different fabrics, you'll achieve the best-fitting dress for so many different occasions.  It's a great way to use the fabrics in your stash!
 
We plan on filming more 'triple espresso' designing videos in the coming year along with other projects.  Please comment below if you like this fast-forward format...and what specific designs you might like to see.

Once again, I'll take this opportunity to thank you for being the best customers I could ever want!  Your loyalty and enthusiasm is what spurs me on to always be thinking of the next project to share with you.

Happy New Year!

Dec 22, 2015

Merry Christmas!






To you and yours...and to let you know how much we at Sure-Fit Designs appreciate each and every one of you.

'Tis the season to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and an especially Happy New Year!




Dec 15, 2015

Upper thigh Dart/Wedge: A Way to Help Remove Under-the-Butt Wrinkles

If you have baggies under your backside, there are a number of alternatives for removing them.  This accompanying photo is a little on the grainy side (sorry) but it does show you what this situation might look like.

Horizontal Upper Thigh Dart/Wedge

This refinement may help your situation.  Pinch out an pin a dart/wedge from the upper, inner thigh on both front and back going to nothing at the side seam.  You have to do this on front and back so that the inseams remain the same length.


Try the pants on.  If this helps, then baste this dart in place and try them on once more.  If you're satisfied with the result, then follow these instructions to make this change on your pants blueprint.


1.  Draw a line perpendicular to the straight of grain from the inseam to the side seam.

2.  Cut from the inseam to the side seam, leaving a paper hinge at the side seam.  Overlap to remove the width of the dart/wedge.

True the inseam.

Redraw the straight of grain from the leg upward.



3.  Even though this process does not change the length of CF or CB crotch curves, it does tilt them.  If you do this on a grid/grain board, you will be able to determine the amount of the tilt.

Cut this amount off CB and add it back on to side back.  Do the same for CF.

This will straighten the CF, CB and side seams to their original positions.

Revised Muslin Test
Needless to say you will need to sew a test with these changes incorporated.  You may need to adjust the direction of the darts as well as evaluate how the waist edge is now sitting on your body.

Alternative Tune-Ups 
For other tune-up alternatives, see:
1.  Pants Kit Instruction Book - page 15#11


Happy Sewing,
Glenda...the Good Stitch!


Dec 7, 2015

Celebrating the new Sure-Fit Designs website - FREE Shipping Dec 8 & 9

The finishing touches have been laid in place and Santa is coming to Sure-Fit Designs Dec. 8 & 9.  He's bringing all of you in the USA FREE shipping and 50% off shipping for International customers.  We've never before offered Free shipping, so it's an opportune time to shop for Christmas...for yourself or give the gift of Sure-Fit Designs to a special sewing friend.
See the new look at Sure-Fit Designs.

http://www.surefitdesigns.com/Index.html

No coupon or discount code is required...simply choose $0.00 shipping when checking out of the Shopping Cart.
For our International Customers, due to software limitations, please place your order and add the full amount of shipping as you normally would.  When your order is received, we will issue a 50% refund on the amount of shipping that you paid.

Free Shipping (USA)...1/2 price Shipping (Int'l customers)

December 8 & 9, 2015


What's new and different on the website?

Social Sharing icons & Language Translator:
Handy social sharing icons are now at the top of every page.
For our foreign language customers, use the Language Translation widget at the top right of every page.

Search Window & View Cart:
Every page now features a Search Window to help you better find what you're looking for.
When purchasing products, it's now very easy to view the items you've placed in your Shopping Cart with the View Cart button.

New Store Categories:
All Sure-Fit Designs products, kits, tools have been consolidated into 6 easy to reach categories.

Information Departments:
Information is easily accessible by clicking on any of these select image boxes.

The Sure-Fit Designs Learning Center:
The Sure-Fit Designs Learning Center is still a separate website.  It also has been updated.  You'll find numerous articles and videos beneficial for all your fitting, sewing and designing needs.  Please note, that when in the Learning Center, if you want to shop and click on the Store icon, it will take you (back) to www.surefitdesigns.com.  All shopping will now be conducted exclusively on www.surefitdesigns.com.


Please offer feedback on the look and feel of the new websites - Comments below are always welcome.  If you find any glitches or kinks, please make sure you email me directly at info@surefitdesigns.com.

PS - the mobile version is still under construction...hope it will be done soon.  In the meantime you can still view the new SFD site in Classic mode on your smart phone.  It also opens up just fine in tablets and Ipads.

Happy Browsing!

Dec 1, 2015

Triple Espresso or Decaf? Basic Blouse Designing 101


Everybody always asks how to design/draw a simple, straightforward blouse once their bodice muslin has been refined - much like the blouses that Joy from JoyFul Expressions wears.
It's time for Basic Blouse Designing 101!
You can choose the Triple Espresso Fast Forward video version - only 1 minute long (I promise)
or
View the slower Decaf/Tea video version - about 15 minutes long.
Have fun either way and see how easy this process really is.
Of course the blouse is designed from you SFD Dress Kit bodice.



The triple espresso version...Basic Blouse Designing 101 at lightspeed -

Or the longer decaf/tea version -



The result...

Drawing and designing a basic blouse really is this easy and simple. When your test muslin has been refined to your special body shape, the next step is moving on to real clothing.

I know you'll have fun doing this.
Comments & feedback welcome.  Would you like more short, fast designing videos?

Happy Sewing!